CONTAINERS FOR REDUCING OR ELIMINATING FOAMING

摘要

A foam reducing or eliminating container for containing a liquid include s: a container body having a top portion, a bottom portion and an opening for adding a liquid to or removing a liquid from the container body; and a hollo w baffle located within the container with first and second openings therein. The first and second openings are covered with a pierceable seal, wherein the first opening of the baffle is at least partially aligned with the opening of the container. In a preferred embodiment, the container is a reagent supply container for an automated analyzer, which includes: a container as describe d above; and a closure which is movable away from the opening of the container to be in an open position and movable into contact with the opening to be in a closed position. In another preferred embodiment a reagent supply for an automated analyzer includes: the reagent supply container as described above; and a liquid reagent therein. The second opening of the baffle is submerged in liquid. A method for reducing or eliminating the aspiration of foam into a metering probe includes: providing a reagent supply as described above; providing a metering probe movable in a direction toward and away from the reagent supply; moving the closure away from the opening of the container; piercing both seals covering the first and second openings of the baffle allowing liquid to enter the baffle from the end of the baffle submerged in the liquid, wherein the seals may or may not be pierced with the metering probe; moving the metering probe into the first opening of the baffle and in to contact with the liquid in the baffle; aspirating a selected amount of liqui d in the baffle; and moving the metering probe out of the baffle.